(Atlantic) The Southwest Iowa Planning Council (SWIPCO) is calling on residents to help honor exceptional local leaders through the new Ron Kohn Leadership Award, debuting this year as part of SWIPCO’s 50th anniversary celebration.
The award will recognize a public servant from Cass, Fremont, Harrison, Mills, Montgomery, Page, Pottawattamie, or Shelby County who has gone above and beyond in leadership, mentoring, and service to their community. Nominees may serve in a city, county, or other public service role and should demonstrate the same commitment to innovation, community engagement, and public service that defined Ron Kohn’s career.
The late Ron Kohn was a former SWIPCO Policy Council member, Mills County Supervisor, Mayor of Glenwood, and longtime Glenwood educator. Known for his passion for teaching and dedication to mentoring future leaders in local government, Kohn left a lasting legacy of civic leadership in southwest Iowa.
Nominations are due by August 25, 2025, and can be submitted through a simple form on the SWIPCO website at www.swipco.org. All nominees will be recognized, and the winner will be announced during SWIPCO’s 50th Anniversary Annual Meeting on Thursday, September 25, 2025, at the Cass County Community Center in Atlantic. Nominators are encouraged to attend and participate in presenting the award.
